Chateau d'Epire Savennieres 'Cuvee Speciale'

Chateau d'Epire is undoubtedly one of the "Grand Cru" estates of Savennieres. Their entry-level bottling comes from 35-55-year-old vines grown in schist soils. With prime, well-exposed holdings, some just north of La Coulee de Serrant, this is ripe yet racy Chenin Blanc from a master of the varietal.

The estate is one of the few that still craft a small amount of wine aged in chestnut barrels, a practice that used to be common but that faded with the introduction of stainless steel. 'This material is an excellent match for schist-born Chenin Blanc, as it accentuates the wine’s stony austerity without imparting any woody flavor. The blend also includes a couple barrels each of acacia, highlighting Chenin’s subtle floral tendencies, and old oak, exalting its fleshy structure with nary a hint of vanilla or toast. With a rigid backbone of acidity and a bone-dry finish recalling fresh walnuts, this is quintessential Savennieres.' - Importer Anthony Lynch